Pull on those vegan cowboy boots and let’s hit the streets of the capital of country music —Nashville, Tennessee. While many are lured by the neon lights and twangy guitar ballads that float down Broadway, there is even more to love, from late-night revelry to vegan fried chicken and everything in between. Even if you’re not a country music aficionado, don’t miss a visit!
Here’s how to make the most of just one day in Nashville!
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How to Spend One Day in Nashville
This guide covers your entire day in Nashville from the best spot for breakfast to where to sleep!
Where to Stay for One Night in Nashville
Since you only have one day in Nashville, it’s important to base yourself close to all the action! This Virgin Hotel location is right in the heart of downtown Nashville — steps from Broadway, Music Row, and the expressway, so you can easily explore other neighborhoods. In addition to the perfect location, it’s also eco-friendly and offers guests the option to “green their stay” with carbon offsets, EV charging stations, and more.
Virgin Hotels Nashville
1 Music Square W, Nashville, TN 37203
Book Your StayBookmark These Other Helpful & Tasty Nashville Articles!
The Best Time of Year to Visit Nashville
For mild weather, lower hotel rates, and airfare, the best time to visit Nashville is between November and March. During this timeframe, the temperatures average in the 50s-60s (10-15 Celsius), making it ideal for exploring the city with a medium-weight jacket. It is rare for Nashville to receive snow in the winter months, but it can freeze overnight, causing ice.
If you choose to visit Nashville in the late spring through summer, be prepared for the heat! In July and August, the temperatures can easily reach close to 100 (37 Celsius) with high humidity, making it rather miserable to wander around the city. I visited in July and planned activities for early in the morning and then went back indoors in the afternoon, because it was just too darn hot.
One-Day Nashville Itinerary
Nashville Morning Itinerary — Rise & Shine
Kick off the day in the quirky, creative East Nashville neighborhood at the vegan hot spot Graze. You’ll be put into a food trance by the aromatic scents of freshly baked biscuits mingled with maple syrup and piping hot coffee. There’s no way you can stay away!
Indulge yourself with a fan favorite hot tempeh biscuit loaded with fried tempeh and tossed in a spicy mix of seasonings with coleslaw and vegan ranch, and served on a fluffy house-made biscuit. You won’t be sorry, we promise. But, if spicy isn’t your jam, carb up with a triple-stack of gluten-free blueberry pancakes.
While you’re in East Nashville, make sure you wander through the quirky Fatherland shops — plenty of places to find the perfect souvenir (I suggest Gift Horse). Also, if you skipped the vegan biscuit at Graze, you have another shot at Guerrilla Bizkits which is right around the corner from Gift Horse!
Now that you’re fully fueled and carb’d up, head on over to the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center & Greenway to enjoy the gorgeous trails and get a bit of fresh air.
There Can Never Be Too Many Vegan Treats
Sunflower Bakehouse will get your attention with their chocolate-dipped peanut butter cookies, but you’ll want to stay for the funfetti or mocha java cupcakes! Aside from being a 100% vegan bakehouse and restaurant, their entire menu is also 100% gluten-free.
And, if it’s too early for an indulgent treat, check out their lineup of superfood-packed smoothies. You’ll be ready to tackle the next stop on our list with one sip of their Classic Colada (pineapple, banana, coconut milk, lime, and apple juice).
Honky Tonk Time
The allure of the neon signs and catchy country tunes can’t keep you away any longer, it’s time to head down the “Honky Tonk Highway,” also known as Lower Broadway. From 10 AM–3 AM, the area’s countless bars and clubs are charged with live music — many famous singers, like Willie Nelson, launched their singing careers on Broadway. It’s also the perfect spot to practice your two-step in those vegan cowboy boots!
All that dancing will definitely work up an appetite, and just in time for lunch!
Nashville Afternoon & Evening Itinerary
Tacos or Hot Chick’n — Lunchtime Decisions
Enjoy authentic Mexican-inspired cuisine at Nashville’s first plant-based taqueria, Succulent Tacos — their menu features a tantalizing assortment of fresh tacos, like Al Pastor (pastor seitan, pineapple, onion, and cilantro), Papas (potatoes, kale, and roasted tomatillo salsa), and much more. Or, if you’d rather enjoy something spicy, check out the incredible lineup of Southern favorites at Southern V. This is the best spot to try Nashville’s most popular dish — hot chicken, but veganized! If it’s nice outside, take your lunch over to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and picnic like a local.
After lunch, head over to the world-famous Ryman Auditorium. Once a church, this venue was reinvented into a famous music hall and has hosted countless celebrities, from Elvis Presley to the Wu-Tang Clan. Take a tour to immerse yourself in its full history.
After all that exploration, it will be just about time for dinner!
Secretly Healthy
BBQ Nachos and Big Ass Dumplings sound indulgent, but when they’re loaded with fresh raw ingredients like Lion’s Mane shrooms, coconut queso, and tons of veggies, they might actually be secretly good for you! Just outside of downtown, AVO is a hip little spot serving up inventive cocktails (don’t miss the Bushwhacker!) and a mix of raw and cooked dishes that appeal to a wide range of diners.
Save a little room, because right around the corner from AVO is Nashville’s only vegan ice cream shop, KOKOS! These coconut-based scoops are sure to please with inventive flavors like Black Forest (dark chocolate with tart bing cherries) or seasonal favorites like Log Cabin Latte (think coffee with maple syrup and hints of cinnamon). We think you’ll want multiple scoops to round out this epic day in Nashville.
For the ‘Gram
As your 24 hours in Nashville comes to an end, you might be looking for the best place to capture Instagram-worthy shots! If so, then head over to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Spanning the Cumberland River, this is the perfect spot to capture gorgeous Nashville skyline shots.
Looking for More Vegan Guides?
If you’re looking for more vegan-friendly travel destinations in Tennessee or beyond, you’ve come to the right spot! Below are a few other vegan travel guides, but if you’re looking for something specific, be sure to do a quick search!
The Perfect Vegan One-Day Itinerary to Memphis
6 Vegan and Vegan-friendly Spots not to miss in Memphis
Vegan Guide to New Orleans
Vegan Guide to Dublin
Maui Vegan Guide
10 US Cities to Travel to for Vegan Food
Complete Two-Day Vegan Itinerary to Palm Beach
